How the workflow system works in the company. Building an iOS app with Workflow Workflow app overview

Most recently, I learned about the existence of Workflow - a new extension for creating software for devices on iOS platform. My friend “advertised” Workflow to me, so much so that I wanted to try my hand at developing simple extensions myself. Moreover, Workflow is just designed for beginners who either have no experience in creating iOS applications or it is completely minimal.

First of all, it is worth noting that the Workflow application is very similar to one of the most the best programs for Mac - Automator, iOS only. I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the possibilities of the program on the official website. And you can buy it for iOS.

What can Workflow do?

Translated from English. “Workflow” means “sequence of actions”. This is what you will do in the program - to create a sequence of actions for "native" iOS applications. For example, using this program, you can add a calendar to any application, extract information from web pages, or copy content in the desired format from the clipboard. Also, all these actions can be interconnected through the Content Graph. That means even unpopular combinations like the Maps app embedded in iTunes or iOS-Calendar on Twitter (as I do). It sounds complicated, but in fact it turns out that Workflows allows you to create new combinations of elements from native iOS applications by dragging and dropping elements.

You can come up with functions to add to iOS applications yourself, or you can look into the Gallery section, where ready-made works of other users are stored in free access. Who knows, maybe someone has already implemented your idea and you will only need to download the desired file to your phone or tablet.

What bundles of actions can be done using Workflow?

At the heart of each bundle are several consecutive individual actions. Among these actions: "Select a phone number", "Open via Maps", "Assign a name to the network" and more. In total, Workflow contains approximately 150 such commands and actions. I am sure that this list will expand.

All actions are divided into 10 categories: Calendar, Contacts, Documents, Maps, Music, Photo and Video, Scripts, Social media, Texts, Web applications. There is also an additional "Suggested" category that offers templates for activities related to the topics of your previous projects in Workflow.

The workflow for creating teams is "chewed" from choosing the first action to testing and saving the template.

How to run a file created in Workflow?

There are three ways to run mini-programs created in Workflow. You can create a desktop icon for the program, run it inside the application for which it was created, or through a redistributable extension (Share).

If you select the latter option, you can specify through which action the program will automatically distribute: Contacts, Dates, Address Book Email, Files, Images, Places, Links to Maps, Media, PDF, Phone Contacts, Rich-Text, Text, Links (URLs).

The general scheme for creating a new program in Workflow:

My advice is to practice before taking on any serious project. Create trial extensions in different categories with different action commands. The basic process of creating a program in Workflow comes down to the following steps:

1. Tap on the "Create Workflow" button in the "My Workflows" tab;
2. Tap on the Actions tab;
3. Select the command (action) that you want to add to your project, just click and hold, and then drag it to the workspace;
4. Repeat this step for all actions;
5. Tap on the "Play" button to test the operation of your program / extension;
6. Tap on the "gear" to save the project;
7. Name the project, select an icon and launch format.

An example of creating a program in Workflow:

For clarity, let's tell you how I created the extension - print to PDF. The bottom line is the ability to choose to convert any link, text document, picture to PDF, followed by the choice of saving and printing specifically in this format. So what to do:

• Create a new template in Workflow;
• Tap on the "gear" and name your project, for example, Save to PDF or Print to PDF;
• Select the type of icon and its color, then tap "Done";
• Tap on the Actions tab at the bottom of the screen;
• Find "PDF" and select the "Make PDF" command;
• Press and hold "Make PDF" and drag to the project workspace;
• Go back to the Actions tab and look for the "Quick Look" command - this way you will open the PDF you created earlier and be able to save it. Click and drag it to the workspace.
• To save all actions, tap on the "Done" button.

If this example was not enough, check out the video, which shows examples of creating other projects in Workflow:

Believe it or not, the iPhone can be automated. The tools for this are of course not as powerful as those for macOS, but with the help of applications such as Workflow, which is available in App Store for £2.99/$2.99, you can do quite a lot.

Workflow is more like IFTTT automation apps than macOS apps like Keyboard Maestro. You combine actions from a ton of different apps.

In the previous tutorial, I gave a very general idea of ​​Workflow. Now I would like to dig a little deeper and consider extended functionality, such as a variable. If you haven't read the first guide yet, I highly recommend that you do so before proceeding.

Introduction to Variables

The variable is one of the most significant features in Workflow. Instead of using the results of passing actions once, a variable allows you to save them for later use.

The variable can store texts, pictures, url - addresses and any other types of content that can be worked with in Workflow.

Creating variables in Workflow is a simple process: each result automatically becomes a miracle variable. You don't have to do anything special; they are already here at your disposal.

Create "I'll be home in X minutes" actions

I'll start using a variable in a relatively simple example. I'm going to create an action that determines how long it takes to get to a specific location, in this case your home, and sends the result to a specific contact.

Open Workflow and click Create Workflow to create a new workflow. For this task type, you need a Normal workflow. Let's call it "I'll be home in..."

Create a new workflow.

The first thing to do is determine where the house is located. Open maps by clicking Maps for it and add Street Address to your workflow. Enter your address.

Going further, go back to Maps, and add Get Travel Time to your workflow. Select Current Location (current location) and Driving (drive), of course, unless you usually walk home or ride a bike. Press the play button to check.

You should see how long it will take you to get home from your current location. I'm currently in France, so it will take 19 hours, 30 minutes to get home to Ireland by car.

Start typing the message you want to send. Something like: "Hi! I'll be home in X minutes. See you soon. Kisses."

When prompted to enter a time, press the Travel Time button in the Variables Bar; it displays all the possible variables that you can use in the workflow.

The last step is to set up the workflow to send messages.

Add a Send Message action and select a recipient. I'm using my contact information and location for the demo.

Click Done to complete the action. Now that you've launched it in Workflow, it will automatically detect travel times and prepare a text to send to your loved ones to let them know you're on your way home.

Move on

This is a pretty good action, but it's not all we can do. First, we can adjust it so that, among other things, it will send your current location in case of traffic jams or other unforeseen circumstances. And, secondly, we can add this action to the screen of your iPhone.

Reopen this activity in Workflow. Click Edit to change it. Start by adding a Get Current Location action.

Add the Current Location variable to the message at the desired location. If you don't see it in the Variables menu, click on the Magic Wand to see a list of all possible Miracle Variables and select the one you want.

When you're done, click Done and test the action.

Finally, add it to your phone screen for quick and easy use.

First, click on the Settings icon in the action, and then on Add to Home Screen (add to the home screen).

Customize the icon to look the way you like and click Done.

Let's wrap up

Variables are a great way to add functionality to your workflow. Instead of just relying on a straight forward sequence of actions, you can accumulate information and use it at any time.

Workflow makes the process of working with variables very easy. You don't need to create a variable or declare it, thanks to the magic variable, every result is available for use.

In this tutorial, I showed you a very simple way to use two variables to create a text message that shares your location and travel time. But there are even more advanced variable functions in Workflow, which we will explore in future lessons.

I admit that I may have a slightly unhealthy craving for automation - I constantly create various bundles between applications and services, activate some geolocation scripts, or delve into the capabilities of Automator on a Mac. On a smartphone, IFTTT remains a permanent companion - because there are an infinite number of applications for this application. And now another application has joined it - the Workflow automator, which in latest update got a more friendly interface and became easier to use.

many really good apps faced with the so-called bottleneck disease. Users are not aware of the extensive possibilities, preferring to limit themselves to the simplest and most understandable actions. This trend does not bode well in the future, and the developers are well aware of this. Therefore, they take on design innovations - sometimes a fresh and thoughtful interface can cheer up the user so much that he certainly does not require any additional functionality. A similar trick has already been done with Apple Music, which radically changed the interface and became more visual - with large fonts and massive tiles. The trend was noticed, picked up and began to be used competently. Including Workflow, about which UiP was already two years ago.

During this time, the application has not lost the usual elements, such as the script constructor, made in the best traditions of the desktop Automator. But the most informative section - a gallery with a list of new scripts, has become much cleaner and more understandable. So far, the application is far from a huge community that feeds the possibilities of the same IFTTT, but progress is noticeable. There are few sections: they are concentrated around the music section, creating Gif-animations, delayed reading. But its possibilities are still huge: due to the fact that Workflow can create sequences of several stages, and is not limited to two steps, the enterprising mind has room to unfold.

But for me, the updated application has become more of an advanced controller. It's all about the new use of the proprietary widget - now it displays up to six selected scripts, many of which help to bypass the extra five or six clicks in the system. For example, the ability to quickly create gifs from listened albums, as well as tweets of songs, came in handy. But special attention deserved the ability to work with the Apple Watch. It's all about the specifics of the device, which itself is very limited in its input capabilities - it is especially convenient to launch action sequences from a small screen. Siri can also do this with varying degrees of success, but voice assistant from Apple does not always work correctly. But scripts on Watch are loaded with enviable stability.

Another thing is that their use is still limited - for the most part, this is a mix of the possibilities of a set of pre-installed applications. There are obviously not enough third-party applications, because with them the application would reach some kind of marginal usefulness limit. Given that Workflow supports multi-stage scripts, it would be possible to bring a whole range of programs to work with one click. All this is already on the Mac - the Automator visual editor and the simple AppleScript language work wonders there, as well as the Alfred search engine extended by the "powerpack". But iOS is sometimes painfully simple and straightforward, although automation could give the system a new impetus for improvement. Workflow also tries to do this, but clearly stumbles at the first approach.

The program still has a confusing mechanism of work and insufficiently clear examples - in an era when people are increasingly losing the ability to concentrate their attention, this looks like an unforgivable vice. Figuring out which variables to set for the generated sequences can be tricky at first. And while a short tutorial would be a great investment for further time saved on routine and useless clicks, the complexity is daunting. I myself had to force myself a little to understand everything in detail. Apple itself made this whole process as difficult as possible, cutting down many promising areas in the bud - the most serious blow is, of course, the closed API for working with voice input. How many ideas with the use of dictation have sunk into oblivion, do not count. In this case, the closed nature of the system looks like a frank weakness, and no assurances about the protection of data confidentiality help here. But there are workarounds - for example, integration with the already mentioned IFTTT multiplies the list of available features at least twice.

The Workflow system is an IT solution for managing the "workflow" associated with a specific stage.

For example, if a client contacts service center with a claim regarding the quality of equipment, then the following work is required:

• Record an incoming request.
• Determine what type of repair is required.
• Determine the employee who will carry out the repair.
• Set a time limit.
• Appoint a person who will control the quality of the repair.
• Make a settlement with the client.

An illustrative example of a workflow is the addition of a new counterparty to the company's system. The counterparty data is entered through a form that initiates a further workflow process for verifying the data and adding the counterparty:

Workflow automation is most often required in cases where it becomes necessary to increase the speed of ticket processing. Automation using systems based on this strategy allows you to solve several problems:

• Reduce the amount of time spent on each step.
• Eliminate time losses associated with process transition between stages.
• Simplify your work with clear workflows.

Workflow class systems: purpose, composition, functions

At the same time, the Workflow application, to one degree or another, serves business processes, but its focus is not on them, but on solving specific problems facing the enterprise or its department.

Workflow automation is an ideal solution when you need to automate individual steps of a business process without affecting it as a whole. If we are talking about full automation, then you should use BPMS.

Differences between Workflow and BPMS

At the center of BPM is a business process, that is, not just certain types of work that employees need to perform, but, for example, the entire chain of interaction with a client, from the first contact to the purchase, and after it.

Unlike BPM, Workflow focuses on individual steps. If the focus of business process management systems is the processes themselves, then it is most important for Workflow to optimize two things:

• Regulations for the performance of work.
• Performing work in accordance with these regulations.

Thus, both of these tools, which at first glance seem very different, can be used together to achieve a positive result.

Features of automation using Workflow and BPM systems

• Messaging between employees.
• Document flow.
• Storing information in a single database.
• The transition of specific processes from stage to stage between employees.

One of the main advantages of systems of this type is that they can be implemented to serve specific processes "invisibly", this does not require a global restructuring of the company's work strategy, does not imply the need for employees to learn new principles of work.

Most often optimized using Workflow:

When it comes to BPM-based systems (BPMS), there are a lot of differences.

• Transformation with BPMS is strategic.
• In most cases, a change in many of the principles of the enterprise and a complete transition to BPM systems is required.
• Most often, the implementation of BPMS involves a large investment of both time and resources.

Most often, BPMS is a long-term investment that does not pay off immediately, but after a while, when the stage of setting up processes and training employees ends.

Today, there are systems that do not belong to Workflow and BPM in the usual sense. For example, the system allows you to create solutions of both classes - workflow, BPMS - by business analysts and implement them gradually, without excessive costs. Thus, you can start with the implementation of a workflow solution, and, if necessary, expand its functionality to the level of a full-fledged BPM system.

Order a free demonstration of the Comindware Business Application Platform and evaluate how it suits your company.

If you are interested in cost-effective and convenient solutions, order a demo of the Comindware Business Application Platform.

Elena Gaidukova, marketing analyst, brand manager of solutions based on , partner relations specialist.

It will help to create scripts of any complexity, which are limited only by our imagination.

Unfortunately, there are no built-in automation tools for iOS. Closeness of mobile operating system minimizes the interaction of third-party applications with each other and with the system itself.

Developers have already learned how to find a way out in the form of simple solutions for automation. So the application will allow you to perform frequently used actions in one click, and the system will create a number of triggers that will work under a certain condition.

Today we will talk about the most powerful automation app for iOS - Workflow.

The application is a universal constructor for creating so-called recipes. Each of them performs a strictly defined sequence of actions without user intervention.

It’s quite difficult to understand the Workflow parameters right away and set your own automation settings. The application has a large database of already created settings for various needs, you can use them, upgrade scripts and create new ones based on them.

How it works

The main window of the application consists of two sections, one contains ready-made scripts, and the second one manages the added recipes.

Each script can be run directly from the application. For more convenience, you can create a desktop shortcut for any script or add them to the application widget.


So it will be possible to launch useful actions directly from home screen or lock screen.

Now let's see what the application can do.

Social media

1. Quickly send a link to your location

With just one click, the script will get your current location, create a marker on the map, and place a link to it in the iMessage window. It remains only to select a contact and send the data. If you specify a recipient in the settings, then after the Workflow is triggered, you only need to click the Send button.

Create such a script for your wife and you will quickly find her in the supermarket.

2. Share your schedule

After running this script, the application will ask you to select a date. The program will look at the entries in the calendar and tell you when you can make a new appointment, go to the cinema or make an appointment with a doctor.

The text will again be placed in the window for creating a new message with the possibility of subsequent sending.

3. Share the last photo

The script adds one or more recent photos to Dropbox in one click and saves a link to them to the clipboard. What could be easier.

4. Create a collage of Instagram photos

Just enter four to nine photos and the app will create a collage grid of pictures. No additional apps or photo editors are needed.

5. Repost with one click

Share your favorite moments with everyone even faster.

6. Tell me what you're listening to

Just one tap separates your Twitter followers from knowing what you're listening to right now. The script will generate a link to the track or station and send it to the social network.

Now everyone will know about your musical preferences.

Shortcuts for quick actions

1. Call with one click

Such a script will allow you to call a specific subscriber by clicking on the icon. You can create as many shortcuts as you need and turn your desktop into a real SpeedDial.

2. Find your way home

After running this script, the navigator will determine your location and pave the way home, well, or to any specified place.

Lost - run the script and head home.

3. Share a screenshot

The application will independently find the last created screenshot in the device's gallery and share it in any convenient way. After that, the screenshot can be automatically deleted so as not to take up space on the device.

4. Keep track of the water or coffee you drink

For those who keep track of the body's water balance or the amount of caffeine consumed, an additional application is no longer needed. The script itself will add the specified amount of liquid to the Health program.

5. Scan QR codes

iOS does not have a built-in scanner for such codes. You have to keep a special application for this. With Workflow, you can speed up the scanning process.

6. Play your favorite music

By analogy with contacts, it is possible to create shortcuts for playing playlists, stations or albums. Very convenient, one click and the music is already playing, no need to browse the media library or use the search.

Browser extensions

1. Save the page to PDF

Everything is simple and clear, one click and any page is saved in PDF, you can send the file to the addressee or upload it to the cloud.

2. View the site's HTML code

Developers will appreciate the ability to jump to the source code of a page with one click, even on a mobile device.

3. Save a photo from the page

No need to search for every picture in the text. One click and all photos are saved in the device's gallery.

4. Open in another browser

This way you can quickly view the site that is open in Safari, in Chrome browser or vice versa.

5. Listen to the content of the article